Authorities: Two arrested in fentanyl deal sting in Scranton
SCRANTON — Two men are facing charges after the sale of fentanyl to a confidential informant in the city's West Side, according to Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian Gallagher.
Andre Powers, 24, is charged with criminal use of a communication facility and criminal conspiracy. Merlyn Campusano-Aquino, 26, is charged with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and related charges.
Gallagher said the arrests were part of his office's 'Take Back our Neighborhoods' initiative, aimed at intensifying efforts to combat drug-related crime and violent crime, particularly gun-related offenses, in Scranton neighborhoods.
According to the criminal complaint:
Lackawanna County Detective John Munley met Tuesday with the informant, who said they could contact a man who goes by the street name of 'Drippy Dre,' who could connect them with a fentanyl dealer.
'Drippy Dre' was later identified as Powers and the dealer as Campusano-Aquino.
The informant then called Powers on a recorded line to facilitate the drug sale, but it was determined Campusano-Aquino wasn't available at that time.
On March 5, the informant again called Powers on a recorded line, and Powers agreed to facilitate the fentanyl sale for a specific amount of money.
The informant arranged to meet with Powers and Campusano-Aquino and investigators outfitted the informant with a hidden audio recording device and money, according to the criminal complaint.
Authorities watched Powers and Campusano-Aquino meet with the informant and were also able to hear their conversation.
After about 30 seconds, Campusano-Aquino handed over a quantity of fentanyl pills in exchange for cash provided to the informant.
Investigators then approached both suspects in an effort to detain them. They were able to take Powers into custody, but Campusano-Aquino ran.
Scranton police Officer Kevin Sweeney caught up with Campusano-Aquino after he ran less than a block and subdued him. A .40-caliber pistol fell from Campusano-Aquino's pants pocket to the ground, according to the complaint.
Both men remain at Lackawanna County Prison, Campusano-Aquino in lieu of $75,000 bail and Powers in lieu of $50,000 bail. Powers and Campusano-Aquino have preliminary hearings scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on March 13 before District Judge Sean McGraw.
Powers faces a maximum penalty of 32 years in prison, a $265,000 fine, and a term of supervised release following imprisonment. Campusano-Aquino faces a maximum penalty of 64 years in prison, a $525,000 fine and a term of supervised release following imprisonment.
The matter was investigated by the Lackawanna County district attorney's office and Scranton Police Department.
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